In honor of my Senpai Tenten birthday, I decided to upload another chapter this week.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 4:
A little over a month passed since the Prodigy brawl in Tenten's apartment. She enjoyed the terror that her best friend experience a bit too much. And in return, Gai Sensei felt the need to give her the "Sexy time" safety drill speech again. You know the whole" no glove no love" type of thing. In which she suffered more times than she'd like you be reminded of. But who was she kidding? Seeing Neji squirm like that was well worth it.
When they met this morning for training, she could feel it; something was off. She wasn't angry with him anymore but who's to say he wasn't or knew for that matter? Pushing the matter aside, when the time came meaning when he brought it to her attention; then she'd deal with it. To be honest, she never imagined having to deal with him so soon. But here he was; face to face with Sasuke. She squeezed her way in between the two young men. The young Kunoichi convinced Sasuke to excuse himself leaving her and Neji a bit of privacy.
"Uh Neji, not that I'm not happy to see you but why are you here?" asked Tenten
"Are you okay?" questioned Tenten
"I'm fine" admitted Neji
"So, how can I help you? You need me to do what exactly?" She followed up.
"Nothing" he answered.
"Do you expect me to believe that? You only come around when something's bothering you or for missions. So, spill? '" She demanded.
Tenten realized that she came off more harshly than she intended too. But she was speaking the truth. And because it is true, Neji wouldn't dear deny it. That was not who he is.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright. And…." Neji was cut short.
Knock
Knock
Knock!
Sasuke opened the door. Tenten could have sworn she heard a snarl from Neji. A snarl from Neji? Nah, that couldn't be. Strutting across the kitchen with the utmost elegances she could manage; she greeting her third surprise visitor.
"Shikamaru! What are you doing here?" asked Tenten.
"Lady Tsunade wants you and those two too report" answered Shikamaru
And just as quickly, he shoved his hands in his pockets and off he went.
ooOoo
Knock
Knock
"Come in" beckoned Lady Tsunade
Sasuke walked in first and Tenten followed him inside; more like he was pulling her. Lady Tsunade took noticed to this but said nothing. Neji followed them inside a few seconds later. She noticed this too.
"Perfect timing; Tenten, I take it you're doing well" " Tsunade folded her hands together.
"Yes, my lady" answered the weapons mistress
"I hear your recovery time was a lot quicker than expected. So assigning Neji as your care taker; turned out to be good judgement on my part. I'll admit at first I was worried" she admitted
"Enough with the pleasantries. This is Midori Shikahara, the heir of the Twilight royal family. You and Neji are already acquainted. This is Tenten and Sasuke Uchiha" finished Hokage
During the war their village was wiped out. Lord Shikahara came to us seeking defense training for the purpose of protection his people. After much deliberation amongst ourselves and our allies in Suna we came up with solution. The Kazekage, myself and Lord Shikahara agreed on a ninja boot camp of sorts. Apparently, this arrangement has caused some friction and many villagers aren't happy. Started off as harmless pranks but soon escaladed to treats against out client.
"Uchiha, Hyuuga and Tenten, your mission is to safely escort our client home. Find out the source of our troubles and bring them in for questioning? Do you accept?"
All three nodded in Unison
"Are there any questions? Or can I proceed" asked Lady Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade, No disrespect intended but isn't sending all three of us Overkill? Either us one of us, would be sufficient. I mean one person would blend in better than three. Wouldn't they?
"Yes you're correct. I was getting to that. Additional man power was requested. The academy needs an instructor; we need someone who can monitor things without drawing too much attention. And that's where you come in Tenten. Sasuke will be a surprise auditor and addition cover story for you. As for Neji, he was requested by the client specifically. Hence he'll be in care of the client mostly." confessed Tsunade
"So in other words you want Sasuke out of your hair" pondered the weapons mistress
Tenten nodded acknowledging the older words. And with every word, Neji's mood seemed to worsen. The deadly aura he was emitting was enough to scare any normal person. So without realizing it; Tenten moved further away from Neji and in turn closer to the Sharingan User. Neji noticed this and his aura only worsened.
"Neji, your alias is Habari Abe; a former shinobi recently retired; a potential suitor of Shikahara.
'Tenten, you're Hanari Abe his twin sister." clarified the Hokage.
"Sasuke, you're Rui Arai, Hanari Abe's Fiancée "
"Before you say anything; this was the best course of action but considering what I know about this compiled team. I'll allow you three the opportunity to ask questions. For diplomacy purposes it needs to be this way. " finished Lady Hokage
"Lady Tsunade, Can you elaborate?" asked Neji.
"Originally, you and Sasuke's roles were reversed. Tenten body responses abnormally well to your is a common occurrence amongst twins and at times lovers. I've encountered couples who've been together longer than any of you've been alive and there chakra response isn't nearly as effective as the bond you and her have. Taking this into consideration along with your long standing the possibly of you two being a couple wouldn't be much of stretch. Then there's Sasuke; taking his personality defect in consideration; this could cause problems for our client. Sasuke and children no doubt would be a recipe for disaster" Tsunade said
"Allow me to fill in the blanks. My father is ill and will be forced to step down soon. This means I will be taking but our council is unhappy because of my age but more so because of my gender. They feel that foreign lands will target us for it. So in order to appease them, My father agreed to find me a suitor. But because of the threats on my life; my omiai (arranged marriage meeting) have come to a halt. And in order for me to claim my birthright, I need to be engaged if not married by my coronation ceremony." Shikahara revealed.
"So basically Neji is a decoy" said Tenten in confirmation.
"To put it simply; yes" finished Shikahara
"Are there any other questions?" asked Tsunade.
All three shinobi keep silent
"You leave in two days. At noon" instructed the older women.
" You are dismissed"
Sasuke bowed and quickly slipped out the room. To Neji, dismay Tenten ran out almost as quickly as the Uchiha did. He opted out on stopping her; he just followed her motions with his eyes.
"Neji, your uncle requested that you escort Shikahara back to the Hyuuga Compound. But we still have a few things to discuss. So I'll make sure she's escorted back; safely" revealed Tsunade
"That won't be necessary" huffed Neji.
"That won't be necessary?" the Hokage repeated
"You do realize who you're talking too? Don't you?" questioned Tsunade
"My apologize Hokage Sama"
"I'll deal with your uncle personally. Now go" sternly responded Tsunade.
"Thank you" said Neji
Neji grabbed the mission scroll, bowed at the two occupants and exited to room. The way Tsunade smiled at Neji slightly unnerved him. It was common knowledge that he and Tenten were extremely close. Wouldn't be a stretch to think she was aware of his distaste for Sasuke. So it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out he wouldn't we happy about going on a mission with him. But how much did Lady Tsunade know?
Neji was exceptionally good at hiding and maintain an unreadable façade. Only those would knew him well enough could see through that. This wasn't the case, she shouldn't have been able to see anything but the obvious? But that grin she had plastered on her face said otherwise. Maybe he was reading too much into it. But that smirk, read certainty and wisdom to a level only Tsunade could create. Could always be speculation? Neji continued to pondered this topic .
Neji soon exited Hokage Tower and to his surprised Tenten was still around.
"Were you waiting for me?" asked Neji
"Sort of; I was leaving but then I saw you coming" admitted Tenten.
"Well its dark out, let me walk you home." Offered Neji
She gestured for him to follow and they started walking toward flat.
"I'm a big girl. I can get home safely on my own. You know" suggested Tenten.
"I know. Just being Chivalrous" acknowledged Neji
"So, is this the part when I'm supposed to swoon and pass out" sarcastically asked Tenten.
He chuckled lightly and flashed a genuine smile.
"No, this is when you say Thank you" corrected Neji
She cracked a smile and pushed him away playfully.
"I want to apologize for fighting with Uchiha" confessed Neji
"I'm not mad about that anymore but apology accepted" smiled Tenten
"What are you doing tomorrow" asked Neji
"Nothing; Why? What's up" she responded curiosity
"Let me make it up too. Your birthday's tomorrow. Isn't it?" revealed Neji
She nodded in approval
"Feel free to invite Lee and Chiharu. That wouldn't be a problem" added Neji
"What time? Were you thinking?" she inquired
"2pm. How does that work for you" He stopped when they reached her apartment complex.
"Two is fine. So, I'll see you then" admitted Tenten
They say they fair wells and part ways.
So, what did you think? It was a lot shorter than the previous chapters but I feel like this flowed a lot better than all the others. But Thanks for reading. And don't forget let me know what you think. Via comments, hit my dm's or even follow. It's Free
S. Hollyhood 03/14/2015